Pronounced Black Jacks,
BLK JKS' first EP Mystery is a quick-paced, dub-heavy indie blast that mirrors the indie/Afro-pop chic of
Vampire Weekend and adds the rambling psychedelia of
Animal Collective. That's not to say that they're easily categorized, or even really comparable to any other bands out there, which is a big reason for the media buzz surrounding them. EPs rarely generate this much hype, but besides simply being the right sounding band at the right time, and having a cool
Bad Brains look, they deserve the spotlight they're gaining on Secretly Canadian for their musicianship alone. As a four-song outing that runs just under 20 minutes, listening to the tracks on Mystery is more of an experience than one might expect. The first three songs, "Lakeside," "Mystery," and "Summertime," are incredibly tightly wound syncopations that revolve around the choppy, near-symbiotic rhythmic interaction between childhood friends Molefi Makananise (bass) and Tshepang Ramoba (drums.) Squirrelly guitar runs and chorus-flavored chords chopped by Mpumi Mcata meet wrap-around vocal lines by Lindani Buthelezi to accent the beats. These nebulous jams contain enough circular structure and memorable melodies to make them captivating dance-think pieces. "It's in Every Thing You'll See" changes gear and takes the heat off the rhythm section with a guitar and vocal space rock voyage that highlights the bubbling sonic trickery of
Secret Machines'
Brandon Curtis behind the boards. Mystery may not last long, but it's a strong introduction to a band with unlimited potential. ~ Jason Lymangrover